Saudi Hajj minister begins official visit to Morocco, Tunisia
Bilateral meetings to explore ways of facilitating the arrival procedures for pilgrims
Updated 04 October 2023
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah began an official visit to Morocco and Tunisia, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Wednesday.
He met with Moroccan Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs Ahmed Al-Tawfiq on Wednesday to discuss boosting coordination to ensure the comfort of Moroccan pilgrims.
The two ministers signed an agreement, on behalf of the Moroccan ministry and the Kingdom’s flagship carrier Saudia, to boost the number of flights between the two countries while ensuring stable prices.
The agreement also outlined initiatives to improve the services provided to pilgrims.
During a press conference, Al Rabiah-stated that his visit to Morocco reflects the deep historical ties between the two countries, highlighting the continuous growth of their cooperation in various fields.
Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah at the opening of the Tasheer center in Rabat. (X/HajMinistry)
The minister also attended the opening of Tasheer, a Saudi visa service center in Rabat.
Al-Rabiah will meet with officials and relevant authorities in both countries to explore ways of facilitating the arrival procedures for Moroccan and Tunisian pilgrims to Saudi Arabia.
His visit is part of the Kingdom’s efforts to build communication networks with the Islamic world and showcase the unprecedented services and facilities that it is providing to pilgrims.
RIYADH: Saudi Border Guards have thwarted the smuggling of 340 kilograms of narcotic Qat in the Jazan region, the Saudi Press Agency reported.
Land patrols in Al-Ardah sector confiscated the items and regulatory procedures were promptly carried out. The seized items were transferred to the competent authorities.
Saudi authorities urged citizens and residents to report any information pertaining to drug smuggling or related activities. Reports can be made by contacting emergency numbers (911) in Makkah, Riyadh, and the Eastern regions or (999) in other regions of the Kingdom.
KSrelief launches food program in earthquake-hit areas in Syria and Turkiye
Updated 06 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi aid agency, KSrelief, inaugurated a volunteer program to distribute food parcels to earthquake-hit areas in Syria and Turkiye, state news agency (SPA) reported.
The program aims to secure food baskets for 2,000 individuals in the Turkish cities of Reyhaniya and Gaziantep.
KSrelief general supervisor Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Al-Rabeeah inaugurated the volunteer program on Friday.
The program is part of KSrelief efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Syrian and Turkish people affected by the recent earthquakes, the statement read.
Abu Arish Castle: An attraction for tourists and enthusiasts of history and ancient architecture
Located 33 kilometers away from the city of Jazan, the historic castle in Abu Arish dates back hundreds of years
Updated 06 July 2024
SPA
ABU ARISH: Jazan province is home to numerous historic castles that constitute a long historical legacy spanning ages and a significant civilizational and tourist landmark in the region.
They represent the society’s identity, values and traditions, which are reflected in the buildings’ details and architecture dating back centuries. They contain rocks, columns, pottery, writings, inscriptions and special decoration patterns, turning them into tourist attractions for charming nature lovers and human heritage enthusiasts.
The historic castle in Abu Arish, located 33 kilometers away from the city of Jazan, dates back hundreds of years. It is a prominent example of the region’s rich historical and civilizational heritage and one of its most significant tourist attractions for visitors as well as history and ancient architecture enthusiasts.
The castle, some parts of which are still standing tall to this day, was built using burnt-clay bricks. (SPA)
The castle is square-shaped with a side length of 40 meters. It is supported by circular towers found at each of its corners. The upper part of its outer wall contains openings used for observation.
The castle, some parts of which are still standing tall to this day, was built using burnt-clay bricks. Local building materials were used by skilled workers from the region to use burnt-clay bricks in building the castle’s walls, openings, towers and arches, as this was the most common style used in that region’s ancient cities.
The columns used in the construction of the circular towers were reinforced with rocks. These towers were used in guard operations and garrisons. This style was common in castles found along the coast of the Red Sea.
Additionally, stems of Doum Palm trees were used in the construction of the castle’s roofs. These trees are widely spread in the region, especially in the area surrounding the Jazan Valley in the south.
Decoration patterns were little used in this castle due to its main function, which tended to use architectural features and decorations similar to the ones found in palaces and residential buildings.
Saudi scouts showcase impressive passion for STEM at international jamboree in US
Leader of US National Islamic Committee on Scouting commends Saudi scouts for their role in serving Hajj pilgrims in Saudi Arabia
The Saudi delegation is led by SASA Vice President Abdurrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaires
Updated 06 July 2024
Arab News
RIYADH: Saudi scouts taking part in the 3rd International Muslim Scouts Jamboree in the US have stood out when it comes to science, technology, engineering and mathematics, a Saudi Press Agency (SPA) report said on Friday.
A delegation from the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association (SASA) are among the participants in the week-long summer camp being held at Camp Strake in Houston, Texas, which opened on June 30 and will end on July 6. The jamboree is organized by the National Islamic Committee on Scouting under the supervision of Boy Scouts of America.
Camp Strake in Houston, where scouting summer camps are held, has 20 campsites with pavilions, a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) center, a 28-acre lake, and first class facilities for scouts. (Boy Scouts of America photo)
On Thursday, the activities included a competition in the basics of electrical and electronic engineering and designing robots using specialized software and hardware, including automatically and logically controlling the robot’s movements.
Aside from showing passing in STEM activities, the Saudi delegation also showed passion in developing their research and innovation skills, the report said.
Scouts participating in the jamboree also received training on the best way to safely drive motorcycles. They compete in scouting leadership and ways to build gates, flagpoles, fences and bridges using wood, along with the correct use of knots, ties and loops to fix them in place, as well as in building cooking ovens and are taught the correct way to light fires.
Other activities listed in the summer camp include visiting NASA in Houston, workshops, and exploring hobbies such as canoeing, swimming and climbing. Leaders of the Saudi Arabian Scouts Association said the group participates in the global camp “to highlight the Kingdom’s role in the Islamic world, promote values of love and peace, showcase the Kingdom and its progress, and facilitate cultural exchange and learning about civilizations.”
Saudi scouts taking part in the jamboree get a briefing from their leader at Camp Strake in Houston. (SPA)
On Tuesday, scout leader Syed Ehtesham Naqvi, president of the US National Islamic Committee on Scouting, took the occasion to commend the efforts and services provided by the Saudi government to serve Muslim pilgrims, Umrah performers, and visitors to the Prophet’s Mosque in Madinah, facilitating their performance of rituals.
He made the remarks when he visited the Saudi scouting delegation on the third day of the jamboree at Camp Strake, SPA said in a separate report.
Meeting with the delegation led by SASA Vice President Abdurrahman bin Ibrahim Al-Mudaires, Naqvi also commended the Saudi scouts for their role in serving pilgrims.
While scouting was officially founded in Saudi Arabia in 1961, scouting activities in the Kingdom started as early as 1943, according to writings about the international movement.
